Prerunner knowledge

[Johnny Walker]

A friend directed me to this site via the classifieds for my interest in buying a truck to set up as a pre-runner. Since I know very little when it comes to suspension, drive train etc I am in "information/ opinion gathering mode". If anyone has an opinion on what I should look at...I am all ears.

What I am looking to do with it:

Basic desert off roading with 4-5 people. (thinkg either F150 or Chevy 1500) Terrain: Hard pack, sand etc. It has been suggested that I look at something with long travel king coil overs and deaver rear leafs. After that little has been discussed with me. I have seen many of these trucks for sale in the classifieds on this site, but not sure if I should buy a truck and build it my self or buy something with as much as I can already installed.

Any thing I should be careful of, sugestions for suspension, 4wd vs 2wd, chevy vs. ford etc would be greatly appreciated.

Dustin

[SEANY]

Your best bet will be a dual sport buggy, and buy one complete. It may seem expensive but building a car from the ground up will catch up with you and before you know it you’ve spent thousands more then that used car you can find in the classifieds. Also a proven car, after you build a car you go through all the BS of tuning this and changing that. Find a nice four seat dual sport and you’ll have a great time. A v8 car would be great but a vw car will be a lot cheaper, Just my 2 cents but I am sure most will agree.

[Johnny Walker]

Your best bet will be a dual sport buggy, and buy one complete. It may seem expensive but building a car from the ground up will catch up with you and before you know it you’ve spent thousands more then that used car you can find in the classifieds. Also a proven car, after you build a car you go through all the BS of tuning this and changing that. Find a nice four seat dual sport and you’ll have a great time. A v8 car would be great but a vw car will be a lot cheaper, Just my 2 cents but I am sure most will agree.

Got my mind set on a truck and looking for recommendations on components for suspension, experiences with buying used or building vehicles. Parts that were good or not good etc. I need it to be street legal for the times I am not in the desert but still wanna go wheelin.

[Ol' Curmudgeon]

4WD. A 2WD truck is fine when you know where you're going, like if one were to be actually pre-running, but 4WD lets you stop and start again without jacking or digging!

Esp. for a newbie on sand. Find a good truck, built or not, and drive it. Don't tackle a build yet.

my 2 cents.

[151fab]

People almost never make money when selling a toy. In this case a prerunner. I'd buy a well built truck that's already where you want it to be. You see prerunner trucks all the time in the RDC classifieds that have twice the money into them than what they are being sold for. Although, the only thing your going to find that will hold four or five people and do safe, serious speeds in the desert will be a dual sport or prerunner buggy. Even in a crew cab F-150/Chevy, by the time you cage it correctly and add seats four people is tight. You'll never get more than three into an extra cab and the third person is stuck with little visability in the dark center of the rear. If I were you; I'd find a crew cab Chevy or Ford with a reputable LT kit on the front, caged correctly, and leafs in the rear. Learn to drive the sh** out of it and have fun until you grow out of it. PS. make sure it passes smog before you buy it, you'll want to drive it on the street right?

[Alex Paterson]

I own a truck but I would second the buggy idea, specially if you want to bring 4-5 people along. There are a lot of good deals on used 4 seaters that will waffle stomp a truck with Deavers and a bolt on front kit. Look throught the classifieds on the web page.

If you want to buid a truck I would either go with a 96-older F150 or if you want newer then pick a Ford or a Chevy, stay away from Dodge only because there is not a lot out there for them.

Figure on 5-12k for the front suspension and 1100-20,000 for the rear suspension. You will want a cage and all the other stuff that goes along with it so by the time you are done you will have 0-30 into the cost of the truck and 10-50k in the cost to make it they way you want to.

If I was to ever build another truck I would find a cab and start from there. I would regester it on an 60-70's Chevy or Ford frame and put whatever I want for an engine in it.

Alex

[Johnny Walker]

4WD. A 2WD truck is fine when you know where you're going, like if one were to be actually pre-running, but 4WD lets you stop and start again without jacking or digging!

Esp. for a newbie on sand. Find a good truck, built or not, and drive it. Don't tackle a build yet.

my 2 cents.

I like it. thats what I was thinking. 2wd is alright as long as your constantly on the gas.

[Johnny Walker]

I own a truck but I would second the buggy idea, specially if you want to bring 4-5 people along. There are a lot of good deals on used 4 seaters that will waffle stomp a truck with Deavers and a bolt on front kit. Look throught the classifieds on the web page.

If you want to buid a truck I would either go with a 96-older F150 or if you want newer then pick a Ford or a Chevy, stay away from Dodge only because there is not a lot out there for them.

Figure on 5-12k for the front suspension and 1100-20,000 for the rear suspension. You will want a cage and all the other stuff that goes along with it so by the time you are done you will have 0-30 into the cost of the truck and 10-50k in the cost to make it they way you want to.

If I was to ever build another truck I would find a cab and start from there. I would regester it on an 60-70's Chevy or Ford frame and put whatever I want for an engine in it.

Alex

Good stuff. again the only issue with the buggy is I want to be able to drive it on the street to go local off road sometimes. If I was only going to drive it out in ocotillo or the high desert then a buggy would make sense. Good info. thanks.

ps. waffle stomp----nice verbiage

[Ol' Curmudgeon]

local off road

In HB??? Where? For that matter Orange County! Used to go off road at Mile Square Park. 32 years ago.

have fun!

[Johnny Walker]

In HB??? Where? For that matter Orange County! Used to go off road at Mile Square Park. 32 years ago.

have fun!

There are some fire roads & trails etc through the cleveland national forest. they start in corona and as far south as you want (to about ortega hwy). They arent very challenging but can be pretty fun still. Beats playing monopoly on a friday night. They arent always open so do your homework if your going to go. + need pass or permit if the rangers are out.

[Ol' Curmudgeon]

I believe they are closed now due to fires and restoration efforts.

My 93 year old Aunt used to drive Skyline in a car, BTW.

I used to go out there in the last century, you could go south of Ortega to Wildomar.

[ErikShallbetter]

Get a Ford Bronco. Put cut beams and new radius arms on it with coilovers and deavers leafs in the back. Cage it and it's done.